Nigel Worthington is fed up of the amount of Northern Ireland born players declaring for the Republic and has proposed a drastic rule change to remedy the situation.
Ireland have benefitted from numerous players born north of the border making the switch in recent years, with the likes of Darron Gibson, Shane Duffy and Marc Wilson all turning their back on Northern Ireland to play for the Boys in Green.
Already minnows on the international scene, the drain of talent is having a negative effect on the fortunes of Northern Ireland and Worthington has a drastic solution that would affect not only both teams on this island, but nearly every side in international football.
“I’m a big believer that you represent the country you are born into,” said Worthington.
“Someone said would I do it (take players in under granny rule) and I said I would because the window is open. But I think the window has to be shut firmly and with no gaps. You are born into a country and that is it. And I think that takes away the issues we have at the moment where Joe Bloggs wants to go elsewhere.”
Unfortunately for Worthington, the simple fact of the matter is that the players in question or indeed the FAI are doing nothing wrong. Under the Good Friday Agreement, everyone born on the island of Ireland is entitled to a Irish passport, thereby allowing players born north of the border to declare for the Republic if they so wish.
It’s not ideal for them, but it’s just the way of things. Also, like their counterparts to the south, Northern Ireland have benefitted from the granny rule (through gems like Lawrie Sanchez) over the years, a fact which should prevent Worthington from adopting a holier than thou approach on the matter.
“For me personally, I want our own players to represent Northern Ireland – not another country. And that means the Republic, England, Scotland, Wales or wherever. It’s across the board,” Worthington continued.
“We are a little bit like Wales. We haven’t got a massive population. It’s something like 1.5 or 1.6 million. In the Republic you have four million-ish. Scotland a little more. So we along with Wales haven’t got the numbers to play with where we can’t afford to lose too many.
“And thankfully we haven’t lost too many. There are one or two. And we have gained one or two. So it’s swings and roundabouts. But I just think if people would get off the fence, be bold and make it a firm decision, I think it clarifies it for everybody’s point of view. There are no grey areas.”
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